Sharper Iron From Kfuo Radio

The LORD commands Samuel to go to the house of Jesse in Bethlehem to offer a sacrifice with Jesse’s family and anoint the next king from among his sons. As the sons of Jesse come before Samuel in the order of age, Samuel wrongly assumes that the oldest will be king. The LORD corrects His prophet; the LORD looks at the heart. No man, not even his own father, realizes that it is the youngest son that will be the king. At Samuel’s request, David is brought before him, and Samuel anoints the shepherd as the next king of Israel. When the Spirit of the LORD comes upon David, the Spirit also leaves Saul. When Saul is tormented by an evil spirit, David is brought before him to comfort him by singing God’s Word to music. Still today, music combined with God’s Word is a powerful gift for God's people.  Rev. James Helms, Jr., pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Greenbelt, MD, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Samuel 16:1-23.  "A Kingdom Unlike All the Nations” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes throu

Samuel gives the Word of the LORD to Saul, telling the king to devote to destruction the idolatrous Amalekites. Saul faithfully spares the Kenites, who had previously attached themselves to Israel, but Saul unfaithfully spares the Amalekite king and the choicest animals. The LORD sends Samuel to tell Saul that Saul has been rejected as king. When Saul claims to have been obedient, sparing the animals for the sake of sacrifice, Samuel clearly reveals Saul’s rebellion, for the king thought he knew better than God. The kingdom will be ripped from Saul as Saul ripped Samuel’s robe. Samuel does return back to the army with Saul, and Samuel kills the Amalekite king, as Saul should have done.  Rev. James Preus, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottumwa, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Samuel 15:1-35.  "A Kingdom Unlike All the Nations” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through 1-2 Samuel. This time in Israel's history has its highs and lows, but the LORD's faithfulness never wavers. He prov

Saul’s son Jonathan continues to show himself to be a faithful Israelite and a capable soldier. The LORD gives Jonathan and his armor-bearer the victory over a Philistine garrison, and then He gives a larger victory to the rest of the Israelite army through Saul. The growing victory is cut short, however, by Saul’s foolish vow that comes from his personal desire for vengeance. Jonathan unknowingly places himself under the curse Saul speaks, and the rest of the army ravenously eats meat with blood because of their hunger from doing what Saul has commanded. With the Israelite camp in disarray, the LORD identifies Jonathan’s eating to Saul, who is ready to kill his own son. The Israelite army intervenes on Jonathan’s behalf, but by the time the events have ended, the victory over the Philistines is greatly limited due to Saul’s unfaithful actions.  Rev. Carl Roth, pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Samuel 14:1-52.  "A Kingdom Unlike All the Nations” is a

As Saul's reign as king is formally introduced, his weaknesses begin to show more clearly. Even as he takes credit for the victory won by his son Jonathan, the Philistines remain a formidable enemy who bring fear to Israel. Initially, Saul waits for Samuel as the prophet had instructed. However, as Saul's army dwindles, he takes matters into his own hands and usurps the priestly role. When Samuel arrives, he tells Saul that this disobedience will lead to the kingdom being taken from Saul and being given to a man after God's own heart. Saul's disobedience is all the more troublesome because it doesn't actually improve things for Israel.  Rev. Sean Daenzer, director of worship for The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod and chaplain for the International Center in St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Samuel 13:1-23.  "A Kingdom Unlike All the Nations” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through 1-2 Samuel. This time in Israel's history has its highs and lows, but the LORD's faithfulness n

With Israel gathered together at Gilgal, Samuel takes the opportunity to give a farewell sermon as his time as judge comes to an end. He reminds the people of his faithful service to the LORD and to them. He recalls the faithful dealings of the LORD with Israel over their history, even when Israel was unfaithful. Now that Israel has a king, both the people and the king must remain faithful to the LORD, or the LORD's hand will turn against them. The LORD sends a sign to confirm Samuel's word, and the people confess their sin. Samuel acknowledges their confession as true and urges them not to turn aside from the LORD.  Rev. Sean Smith, senior pastor at Grace Lutheran Church in Clarksville, TN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Samuel 12:1-25.  "A Kingdom Unlike All the Nations” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through 1-2 Samuel. This time in Israel's history has its highs and lows, but the LORD's faithfulness never wavers. He provides His Word to be proclaimed faithfully through prophets like

When the Ammonites renew their enmity with Israel at Jabesh-gilead, the news eventually gets to King Saul, who is plowing with his oxen. The Spirit of God rushes upon Saul, and in anger, he calls Israel to come out and fight, lest they face his sword. The army musters at Saul's command, and he leads the people to victory over the Ammonites. Saul rightly puts aside any desire for personal vengeance, and Samuel leads the people in worship before the LORD. Finally, Saul's reign over Israel has been solidified.  Rev. Vance Becker, pastor emeritus attending Trinity Lutheran Church in Garden City, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Samuel 11:1-15.  "A Kingdom Unlike All the Nations” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through 1-2 Samuel. This time in Israel's history has its highs and lows, but the LORD's faithfulness never wavers. He provides His Word to be proclaimed faithfully through prophets like Samuel and Nathan. Even as princes like Saul and David sit on an earthly throne, the LORD remains

Samuel anoints Saul as the first king of Israel and gives Saul signs to confirm this reality for him. Each of the signs comes to pass. When the Spirit of the LORD rushes upon Saul, he begins to prophesy, which surprises those who witness it. As Saul returns home, he does not trust the authority that God has given him as king over Israel. That continues as he is revealed publicly in Israel for the first time; Saul hides himself among the baggage. Nonetheless, Israel largely receives Saul as their king, except for a few worthless fellows who refuse to recognize him.  Rev. David Vandercook, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in North Little Rock, AR and Shepherd of Peace Lutheran Church in Maumelle, AR, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Samuel 10:1-27.  "A Kingdom Unlike All the Nations” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through 1-2 Samuel. This time in Israel's history has its highs and lows, but the LORD's faithfulness never wavers. He provides His Word to be proclaimed faithfully through proph

Although Saul has the outward appearance of a king, several warning signs are present, indicating that he may not serve the people as well as they would like. He is from the tribe of Benjamin rather than the tribe of Judah. He is unable to find lost donkeys; will he be able to lead men? The most concerning detail is Saul's ignorance of Samuel as the prophet in Israel. Nonetheless, the LORD reveals to Samuel that Saul is His choice for king, and Samuel begins to make this known to Saul, even with Saul's objections.  Rev. Luke Zimmerman, pastor at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg, PA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Samuel 9:1-27.  "A Kingdom Unlike All the Nations” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through 1-2 Samuel. This time in Israel's history has its highs and lows, but the LORD's faithfulness never wavers. He provides His Word to be proclaimed faithfully through prophets like Samuel and Nathan. Even as princes like Saul and David sit on an earthly throne, the LORD r

As Samuel grows old, the elders of Israel rightly recognize the corruption of Samuel's sons, who are unfit to be judges in Samuel's place. However, the elders of Israel wrongly ask that Samuel set up a king over them so that they would be like the other nations. The LORD says that this request is a rejection of His reign, but He still tells Samuel to give Israel what they want. Even as Samuel warns them that a king like all the other nations will not be all that they think, the people persist in their sinful desire. Graciously, the LORD uses this request to ultimately bring us the King that we need, our Savior Jesus.  Rev. Kurt Ulmer, pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Wylie, TX, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Samuel 8:1-22.  "A Kingdom Unlike All the Nations” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through 1-2 Samuel. This time in Israel's history has its highs and lows, but the LORD's faithfulness never wavers. He provides His Word to be proclaimed faithfully through prophets like Samuel and N

Samuel's faithful preaching to Israel called God's people to repentance for their idolatry, and Israel listened. As Samuel led the people in confession of their sins, the Philistines used the opportunity to attack. This time, Israel implored Samuel to pray for them and sought the LORD's counsel. After the LORD won the victory over the Philistines for Israel, Samuel set up a stone and named it Ebenezer as a remembrance of the LORD's help for Israel.  Rev. Andrew Jagow, pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Alexandria, VA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Samuel 7:3-17.  "A Kingdom Unlike All the Nations” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through 1-2 Samuel. This time in Israel's history has its highs and lows, but the LORD's faithfulness never wavers. He provides His Word to be proclaimed faithfully through prophets like Samuel and Nathan. Even as princes like Saul and David sit on an earthly throne, the LORD remains King over His people, even as He does now and forever through the Lord Jesus

The Philistines were quite mistaken to think that their capture of the LORD's ark meant that their idol had defeated the LORD. The LORD shows the impotence of Dagon in its idolatrous shrine, and the LORD inflicts a plague upon the Philistines. The Philistines soon want nothing to do with the LORD's ark, and as they send it back to Israel, the LORD shows that He has been the One at work against the Philistines. As the ark comes back to Israel, the people of God still need repentance, which the LORD works over the next twenty years.  Rev. Matt Ulmer, pastor at Zion Lutheran Church-Friedheim, just outside Decatur, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Samuel 5:1-7:2.  "A Kingdom Unlike All the Nations” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through 1-2 Samuel. This time in Israel's history has its highs and lows, but the LORD's faithfulness never wavers. He provides His Word to be proclaimed faithfully through prophets like Samuel and Nathan. Even as princes like Saul and David sit on an earthly thro

Although Samuel was preaching God's Word to all Israel, the people did not bother to consult him in their fights against the Philistines. After suffering a terrible defeat, the elders of Israel treat the ark of the LORD as a magic talisman in taking it out to battle faithlessly. Though the Philistines initially tremble, they fight nonetheless and rout Israel even more than previously, taking the ark captive. Yet, this did not mean that they had defeated the LORD; rather, the LORD was fulfilling His Word against the house of Eli. His death upon hearing the news of the ark's capture marks a low point in Israel's history, as the name of his grandson Ichabod indicates. Such a text calls us to examine our hearts for the same idolatry as Israel and to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Rev. David Boisclair, pastor at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Overland, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Samuel 4:1-22.  "A Kingdom Unlike All the Nations” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through

When Samuel was a young man serving under Eli in the LORD's house, the LORD's Word rarely came as it had to Moses and Joshua. Yet the LORD was bringing about an increase in His Word through Samuel. He made Samuel, Eli, and all Israel certain of His call to Samuel as a prophet, even though it took some time for Eli and Samuel to catch on. Samuel's prayer in response to the LORD's call is one that all Christians do well to repeat, asking the LORD to speak and promising to listen. The LORD revealed to Samuel what He had previously told Eli concerning the coming judgment of Eli's house, and Eli received it faithfully. This was the beginning of Samuel's ministry as a prophet in Israel.  Rev. Sean Kilgo, pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lawrence, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Samuel 3:1-21.  "A Kingdom Unlike All the Nations” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through 1-2 Samuel. This time in Israel's history has its highs and lows, but the LORD's faithfulness never wavers. He provides

The two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phineas, act wickedly in their service at the LORD's house, unlawfully taking parts of the sacrifices for themselves and committing adultery with temple servants. Although Eli speaks to his sons about these things, they do not listen, and he does not take decisive action against them. For this, the LORD sends a prophet to Eli to reveal that the priesthood will be taken away from his family, and the LORD will provide for Himself a faithful priest. The portrayal of Samuel throughout this text shows him to be one who will become a faithful priest, and yet, this promise points beyond Samuel to the ministry of the Lord Jesus.   Rev. Joel Haak, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church and School in Fraser, MI, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Samuel 2:12-36.  "A Kingdom Unlike All the Nations” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through 1-2 Samuel. This time in Israel's history has its highs and lows, but the LORD's faithfulness never wavers. He provides His Word to be proc

As Hannah fulfills her promise to give her son Samuel into the LORD's service at the tabernacle, she prays with joy and thanksgiving at what the LORD has done for her. He has shown Himself to be holy and faithful, so that the prideful cannot speak or stand in His presence. He brings about great reversals, making low the mighty and raising up the humble. As the Creator and the Redeemer, He protects His people and defeats His enemies. Hannah's song foreshadows the song of Mary in Luke 1, and Hannah speaks prophetically about the LORD's King and His Anointed One, thus pointing us forward to Jesus.  Rev. Dr. John Bombaro, pastor at St. James Lutheran Church and School in Lafayette, IN and a chaplain for the LCMS serving with the 14th Marine Regiment, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Samuel 2:1-11.  "A Kingdom Unlike All the Nations” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through 1-2 Samuel. This time in Israel's history has its highs and lows, but the LORD's faithfulness never wavers. He provides His

The book of 1 Samuel begins at a religious low point for Israel, when there was no king and everyone did what was right in his own eyes. The LORD began His work of calling His people back to Himself through the family of Elkanah. His wife Hannah suffered greatly from her barrenness, yet she prayed to the LORD for a child. Once Eli's initial assumptions about Hannah proved to be unfounded, he blessed her, and even more importantly, the LORD granted her prayer by giving her a son, Samuel. After he was weaned, Hannah kept her promise and brought Samuel to serve at the temple under Eli. Samuel's birth and presentation at the temple serve as a type of our Lord Jesus Christ in His early years.  Rev. Jacob Dandy, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Atchison, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Samuel 1:1-22.  "A Kingdom Unlike All the Nations” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through 1-2 Samuel. This time in Israel's history has its highs and lows, but the LORD's faithfulness never wa

"A Kingdom Unlike All the Nations” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through 1-2 Samuel. This time in Israel's history has its highs and lows, but the LORD's faithfulness never wavers. He provides His Word to be proclaimed faithfully through prophets like Samuel and Nathan. Even as princes like Saul and David sit on an earthly throne, the LORD remains King over His people, even as He does now and forever through the Lord Jesus Christ. Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

When envoys from Babylon come to Hezekiah in Jerusalem, he gives neither thanks nor glory to the LORD for the blessings He has so freely bestowed on Hezekiah. Instead, the king shows the Babylonians all the wealth he has, as if he has won it for himself. Isaiah confronts Hezekiah, revealing that the consequences for the king's actions will be exile in Babylon. Hezekiah drops the ball again, showing no concern for the welfare of his children. Although Hezekiah was a faithful king, his sins in this text serve as a reminder that he is not the Christ; Immanuel is still to come as the sinless King of Israel. We have seen the fulfillment of this promise in Jesus.  Rev. Peter Ill, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt, IL, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Isaiah 39:1-8.  "The Fifth Evangelist” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through Isaiah 1-39. The prophet proclaims to the people of his day and throughout history that the Holy One of Israel alone is exalted. Those who put their trust in t

Today’s sermonette based on John 2:1-12 is given by Rev. Timothy Koch. This is a rebroadcast from February 7, 2017. Hear a guest pastor give a short sermonette based on the day’s Daily Lectionary New Testament text during Morning and Evening Prayer. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

When Hezekiah became sick to the point of death, the LORD's Word came to the King that he would die. Hezekiah responded by crying out to the LORD in prayer, and the LORD responded by mercifully extending Hezekiah's life for another fifteen years. This gracious promise not only spared Hezekiah,but also sustained the line of the promised Messiah for all people. Hezekiah's prayer rightly recognizes the transience of human life and the mortality all sinners know, yet the faithful king also places his hope in the LORD's deliverance and gives thanks for His salvation.  Rev. Dr. Roger Paavola, president of the Mid-South District of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Isaiah 38:1-21. "The Fifth Evangelist” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through Isaiah 1-39. The prophet proclaims to the people of his day and throughout history that the Holy One of Israel alone is exalted. Those who put their trust in the strength of man will be brought low, but those who trust in th